Lot Essay
Although famed as a painter of railways, Terence Cuneo also excelled at ceremonial scenes and was chosen as one of the official artists to record the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. His rapid, painterly style, innate grandeur of composition and enjoyment of pageantry make this depiction of Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards' Parade particularly vivid. The Queen takes the salute as her personal troops, the Household Division, ride by, the glossy coats of the 'Cavalry black' horses contrasting with the brilliant red and gold uniforms.
The custom of Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II (1630-1685), when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were trooped in front of the soldiers every day to ensure that every man recognized those of his own regiment. In London, the Foot Guards performed this ceremony as part of their daily Guard Mounting on Horse Guards. The tradition of marking a sovereign's birthday by Trooping the Colour dates at least as far back as 1748. Today the ceremony is held on the Queen's official birthday, usually the first or second Saturday in June.
The custom of Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II (1630-1685), when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were trooped in front of the soldiers every day to ensure that every man recognized those of his own regiment. In London, the Foot Guards performed this ceremony as part of their daily Guard Mounting on Horse Guards. The tradition of marking a sovereign's birthday by Trooping the Colour dates at least as far back as 1748. Today the ceremony is held on the Queen's official birthday, usually the first or second Saturday in June.